Chapter 31: Throne Together
Su Lingwan's strategy was clear and decisive. Facing a hidden threat, retreat or sheer defense would only embolden the enemy. Only a stronger stance and closer ties could crush all rumors.
The Huo’s Charity Dinner became the first battlefield they chose.
That evening, Huo Linshen and Su Lingwan appeared hand-in-hand. Su Lingwan opted for a sophisticated gown, opting instead for a royal blue, one-shoulder gown from the "Luminance" couture collection. The clean, sleek lines accentuated her elegant and confident demeanor. She wore a phoenix feather necklace from the "Pearl" collection, featuring conch pearls. The vibrant shimmer of the pearls complemented the newly inlaid "South Sea Pearl" engagement diamond ring on her ring finger, silently highlighting her status and position.
Huo Linshen, dressed in a classic black tuxedo, looked as dignified and aloof as ever. But unlike usual, he held Su Lingwan's hand tightly throughout the entire event, remaining inseparable from her wherever they went. His gaze followed her constantly, and while greeting guests, he'd naturally put his arm around her waist, or whisper to her from behind, his gestures both intimate and possessive.
They were no longer just an engaged couple, but more like an inseparable whole, an unbreakable union.
When someone asked indirectly about the recent "rumors", Huo Linshen would interrupt directly with an expressionless face: "Nonsense, not worth mentioning." The coldness and disdain in his tone instantly silenced the person asking the question.
After Huo Linshen's strong response, Su Lingwan would calmly take over the conversation, skillfully guiding the topic back to charity itself, or talk about "Luminance's" recent performance and future plans, responding to all malicious prying with real achievements and calm and dignified demeanor.
Their behavior, in the eyes of the many guests, sent an unmistakable signal: any attempt to alienate them would be futile. Huo Linshen's trust in Su Lingwan was unbreakable, and Su Lingwan herself was by no means a weakling who could be manipulated.
Halfway through the dinner, Huo Linshen was supposed to give a speech. He let go of Su Lingwan's hand and whispered in her ear, "Wait a minute."
Su Lingwan smiled and nodded.
Huo Linshen took the stage, the spotlight shining on him. His speech was concise and powerful, focusing primarily on the Huo family's social responsibility and philanthropic philosophy. However, at the end of his speech, he shifted the subject, his gaze fixed squarely on Su Lingwan, who was quietly watching him from the audience.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to clarify some insignificant rumors that have been bothering my fiancée." His voice carried throughout the microphone, carrying an unquestionable authority. "I, Huo Linshen, have always made choices based on my heart. Miss Su Lingwan is my chosen partner and the rightful future mistress of the Huo Group. Her talent, character, and contributions to the Huo Group's businesses are evident to all."
He paused, his eyes sweeping sharply in the direction of some people in the audience, his tone carrying a cold warning: "Any attempt to defame her with false information and challenge our relationship will be regarded as a provocation to the Huo family and to me, Huo Linshen, personally. You will bear the consequences yourself."
After saying this, he nodded slightly, no longer looking at the different expressions in the audience, walked off the stage calmly, went straight back to Su Lingwan, and held her hand again.
There is no fierce defense, only strong declaration and protection.
The audience was silent for a moment, then burst into warm applause. This applause was not only a response to his philanthropic speech, but also an acknowledgement and blessing of the relationship between this beautiful couple.
After this night, the rumors circulating in the dark have been greatly reduced in their lethality.
But Su Lingwan and Huo Linshen both understood that this was merely a counterattack in public opinion. To completely resolve the problem, they had to uncover the mastermind behind the incident and resolve the potential "evidence" crisis. So, the next day, they met with Shen Qinglan.
The meeting place was chosen to be a secret private tea room.
When Shen Qinglan arrived, she was still dressed in an intellectual and gentle manner, but there was a hint of fatigue and helplessness between her brows. When she saw Huo Linshen and Su Lingwan sitting side by side, her face showed no surprise, but only a wry smile.
"I knew you would come to see me." She sat down and got straight to the point.
"Miss Shen, let's not mince words." Huo Linshen's tone was calm, but with a sense of oppression, "Were you the one who did those clues pointing to you?"
Shen Qinglan shook her head, her eyes calm, "It's not me. I, Shen Qinglan, wouldn't resort to such despicable means." She looked at Su Lingwan with a complicated expression, "Miss Su, I admit that I once had a crush on Lin Shen, but that's in the past. I admire people who have established themselves through their own abilities. Although I feel a little bitter about your success, I admire you more."
Su Lingwan could sense the sincerity in her words and nodded slightly: "Thank you. What about the rumor that you have 'evidence'..."
Shen Qinglan sighed: "This is what I find strange. I do have some things in my hands, but they are not evidence, but... some things that may be taken out of context and used to frame you."
She pulled out a USB drive and shoved it in front of the two of them. "About two weeks ago, I discovered someone was attempting to hack into my personal computer. The target appeared to be archived work emails between me and Lin Shen, as well as... my contact records with a Swiss private banking advisor. I intercepted the attack promptly, but I'm not sure if they obtained some of this information through other channels. I suspect someone is trying to fabricate financial records that would be unfavorable to you, Miss Su, or to create the illusion that I've turned from love to hate and colluded with you to harm the Huo family's interests."
Huo Linshen and Su Lingwan exchanged a glance, their hearts trembling. The other party's calculations were deeper than they had imagined. Not only did they want to slander Su Lingwan, but they also wanted to muddy the waters and even drag Shen Qinglan into the water.
"Can we find the source of the invasion?" Huo Linshen asked.
"It's very cunning. It used multiple layers of springboards, ultimately pointing to an overseas IP address. It's very difficult to track down." Shen Qinglan frowned. "But I copied the list of files that were attempted to be accessed and the timestamps. Maybe it will be useful to you."
This is undoubtedly an important clue.
"Thank you." Su Lingwan thanked her sincerely. Shen Qinglan could have stayed out of it, but she chose to be honest.
Shen Qinglan smiled, a smile of relief in it: "No need to thank me. I just don't want to be used as a tool, and I don't want to... see you being plotted against like this. I wish you happiness." She stood up and left gracefully.
With the clues provided by Shen Qinglan, Huo Linshen's investigative team had a clearer direction. They followed the intrusion traces and the flow of funds (the other party's attempt to falsify records would inevitably leave clues), combined with an internal investigation of the Huo family, and finally locked their sights on an unexpected person: Li Minghan, Huo Zhenting's long-time and trusted special assistant.
This person appears loyal on the surface, but in fact he has been secretly bribed by Huo Zhenbang. This incident was planned by Huo Zhenbang, and Li Minghan used his position to carry it out. His purpose was to create chaos before the wedding, undermine Huo Linshen's prestige, and try to alienate his relationship with Su Lingwan and his father Huo Zhenting.
The truth is revealed.
Huo Linshen acted decisively, laying all the evidence before Huo Zhenting and several core members of the family. Li Minghan was immediately apprehended and handed over to judicial authorities. Huo Zhenbang, faced with irrefutable evidence, turned pale. At an internal family meeting, Huo Zhenting severely reprimanded him and stripped him of some of his real power, severely damaging his influence.
The storm was quickly quelled with lightning speed.
After this incident, Huo Linshen's authority within the Huo family rose, not diminished, and his decisiveness was truly remarkable. Su Lingwan's calmness, wisdom, and courage in fighting alongside Huo Linshen throughout the entire process earned her the respect of the Huo family and even the top circles of Hong Kong. No one dared to underestimate the soon-to-be-eminent Mrs. Huo anymore.
That night, Huo Linshen and Su Lingwan returned to the Repulse Bay Villa. Outside the window, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse, and the sea was calm.
Huo Linshen poured two glasses of red wine from the wine cabinet and handed one to Su Lingwan. The two of them leaned against the French window, looking at the quiet night.
"Are you scared?" Huo Linshen suddenly asked, referring to the current incident.
Su Lingwan took a sip of wine, shook her head, and looked sideways at him with a smile in her eyes: "With you here, I'm not afraid." She paused and added, "Besides, I feel very happy."
"happy?"
"Yeah." Su Lingwan nodded. "It's like... we've finally truly and completely stood together, facing the same enemy, and won." She swirled her wine glass, her eyes sparkling. "This feeling is much better than simply being protected."
Huo Linshen looked at her, deep emotion welling up in his eyes. He reached out and took her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head.
"Ling Wan," he whispered, "I used to think the throne was lonely. But now I realize," he tightened his arms, his voice filled with unprecedented satisfaction and determination, "that if I could stand shoulder to shoulder with you, that would be true... perfection."
Su Lingwan leaned on his warm chest, listening to his steady and strong heartbeat, feeling the cherishment and recognition in his words, and her heart was filled with peace and happiness.
She was no longer just a jewel protected under his wings.
She has grown into a partner who is capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with him and sharing the throne with him.
After the storm, their relationship became even more indestructible.
And their grand wedding will soon be held under this clearer sky.
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